Reach over and squeeze his knee (while you’re both sitting).

Touching his knee as you apologise makes him feel connected to you, so he is more receptive to what you are trying to say. “The knee is your go-to area spot because it’s neutral territory,” explains David. “It’s not as invasive as touching a leg or an arm would be, so he won’t recoil if he is upset.”

Plus when you extend your arm to touch his knee, your body has to bend forward slightly. “This is a posture that subconsciously signals to his brain that you are genuinely contrite and would like his forgiveness,” says David.

Grasp his hands and coax them into a prayer position, then position your hands over his.

Arranging your hands as if you’re praying projects power and control (apparently a gesture executives and politicians use all the time while speaking).

“And by placing his hands between yours, you’re subconsciously signalling him that you are the dominant one in this scenario,” says Field. “As a result, your words become more persuasive to him, though he won’t know why.”

Put your hand on the top of his inner thigh.

This move isn’t effective just because it’s close to his package (though that doesn’t hurt). “The upper part of his inner thigh is a sensitive area on its own,” says David. “It’s loaded with nerve endings that connect to his genitals.”

Plus the skin in this region is more tender, since it’s the part of the thigh that generally has the least amount of muscle. “Stroke and lightly knead his inner thigh with your fingers,” says Wexler. It’ll guarantee his hands will be all over you as soon as possible.

Lightly scratch his neck along the hairline.

It’s the ultimate soother for two reasons. First, raking your fingers through his hair taps into primitive grooming instincts. “Preening is a universal caretaking gesture that everything from birds to primates to humans, used to show affection,” says David. “It’s a nurturing move that makes him feel safe and calmer.”

The trapezius muscle (a large back muscle) also extends up through the neck, “This area is where we tend to carry the bulk of the stress in our bodies,” says Tiffany Field, director of the Touch Research Institute at the University of Miami’s Miller School of Medicine.

As a result, whatever is bumming him out is literally a pain in the neck. “Stroking the trapezius helps him to relax, just as a massage would,” Tiffany says.

Place your hand on top of his shoulder.

This is like hitting the pause button on his brain during an argument. While the motion is firm — keeping your arm straight carries more power and commands attention, according to David, the comforting contact will help to calm down your guy (the shoulder is an ideal spot to touch in a moment like this, since it’s well protected with muscle and less sensitive as opposed to more vulnerable places, like his face and neck).

“Your touch will bring him out of the heat of the moment and remind him of your bond, taking his anger down a notch,” explains David.

The key, though, is to use this move just as a fight is beginning and his heated emotions are still at a simmer and not at full boil. “Otherwise, stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol will have spiked to the point where your peacemaking gesture is lost on him,” says David.

Gently place your hands on his cheeks.

A guy’s face is extra sensitive. “A higher number of follicles make a man’s face more sensitive than a woman’s,” says David. “That makes this a great spot to take advantage of.”

Plus, the hands-on-your-lover’s-cheeks gesture is interpreted as especially romantic (that’s why it’s used in practically every movie kissing scene). “The face is one of the most emotionally intimate spots on the body, so holding his closely communicates the deep bond you feel with him,” says Field.

Physical contact makes it easier to pick up immediately on your guy’s perspective, since you can feel his body react in your hands (as opposed to having to gauge his facial expression or tone of voice). These clues can help you to figure out what’s going through his head.

He tenses up: You’ll feel his muscles contract under your hand, like a reflex. This indicates that he is nervous and unreceptive. For example, he may be unconvinced by your apology, if you feel his knee twitch as you squeeze it.

He leans into you: If he subtly shifts his body to meet yours, he’s showing you that he’s under your influence. This means he’s more likely to agree to walk your dog or want to stop a fight.

He angles his body away from you: By maintaining the physical connection, he is showing that he is open to what you are saying, but angling to the side means he’s not totally sold (it’s a physical sign of his ambivalence).

He’s perfectly still: Typically, no reaction is the worst reaction. That means he is completely disengaged from the conversation and has built up a wall. You’re better off waiting until another time, when he’s not shutting you out.

Text: Now To Love

Read Next

The 5 Golden Rules Of A Long-Lasting Marriage

How Fann Wong, Priscelia Chan And More Local Celebs Keep Their Marriage Strong

50 Fun And Cheap Date Ideas Below $20